ALLERGIES

An allergy is a reaction by the body to to a substance (allergen) that is considered foreign to the body.

This allergen is usually a foreign substance but, sometimes the the immune system misidentifies a harmless substance as if were toxic. The immune system is like your bodies "military" that contains many different types of soldiers and weapons to fight off these foreign invaders. Different types of white blood cells are mobilized when an allergen invades the body. When the immune system overreacts to allergens, it can cause more damage to the body than the invaders. Thus allergies can become a disease themselves. Severe inflammation can result from allergies. Some common allergens include dust, pollen, metals, cosmetics, foods, mold, lanolin, food additives/preservatives, animal dander, insect venom,  and chemicals found in household items such as detergents, soaps, deodorants, and cleaning products.   There are numerous signs and symptoms of food allergies. These include:

• Fatigue
• Food cravings
• Gas
• Headaches
• Hemorrhoids
• Insomnia
• Intestinal problems

  If you suspect that you may have an allergy to a particular food you can perform a pulse test to help you determine if you have a possible reaction to that food. First thing in the morning, before you eat or drink anything, take your resting pulse. Then place a small sample of the suspect food in your mouth and chew it well making sure you mix it with plenty of saliva and get it under the tongue. Do not eat or drink anything else for 15-20 minutes then, recheck your pulse. If your pulse increases by more than 10 beats per minute, you may have a sensitivity to that food. Omit that food for 30 days from your diet and retest. If your pulse still reacts to that food, then omit it permanently from your diet. Try to eat only organic foods whenever possible. Foods such as peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes tend to be highest in contaminants. Look for the label that says "USDA organic" and check to see foods that have been evaluated by the Environmental Working Group to see which foods are safest and which are contaminated.    Some other signs and symptoms of possible allergies include:

• Acid/alkaline imbalance
• Anemia
• Anxiety
• Attention or memory problems
• Bed-wetting
• Blurred Vision
• Conjunctivitis
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Drooling
• Dark circles under the eyes of puffiness

Airborne allergens can best be reduced by limiting exposure. This can be accomplished by using HEPA filters in the home. The air conditioning system should use HEPA filters and be changed regularly. HEPA air filters can be used in rooms that you spend much time in (e.g., bedroom, living room). Work in well ventilated areas and, when necessary, wear a mask to filter dust or other pollutants especially if you experience any of the common symptoms above when at work. Stress management will help strengthen the immune system.  Utilizing environmental wellness concepts will also help reduce many types of stressors. It's time to start thinking green. Use environmental friendly cleaning products. What you put ON your body is just as important as what you put IN your body! Use natural hygiene products such as shampoos, soaps, detergents, deodorants, etc. Remember, it is the toxins that we have to worry about SAFE levels not the natural products. And just because the toxins in one product you use are considered to be at safe levels "when used as directed" what is a safe toxin level when we consume or use dozens of different products that may contain a total of up to hundreds of different toxins daily?